Zoey is one month old

9-3-13

Dear Baby Zoey (Meaning LIFE J)

I need another drum roll please……………………………………………………………………………

You made it!! You are 1 month old today!!! Mommy can’t believe where the last month has gone. Oh, wait, yes I can, it’s been spent at the University of Utah hospital in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit. I don’t know what it is about hospitals, especially the NBICU, but it makes Mommy so tired and stressed. However, you have shocked everyone and done amazing well for only being 33 weeks gestation. When you were born on August 3, 2013, (29 weeks gestation), you were 2 pounds fifteen ounces and fifteen in half inches long. You were on a ventilator that was breathing for you. You were hooked up to and every machine and IV’s possible. Your right lung was collapsed and you had pneumonia and also you were under the lights for many days. The first week of your life was definitely touch and go. One day you would be doing great the next day you would crash and all the staff would come rushing in. But, your meaning of your name says it all—LIFE. You have been such a fighter and extremely feisty. You were only two days old and daddy (while in your incubator) cradled you with one hand on your head and the other cradling your feet and legs. Well, you did not like this at all and started hitting daddy’s hand away from your head. This was quite comical to us. Here you are hanging on by a thread but if someone touches you, you hit them….lol

Lets see how you are doing NOW…

You weight 3 pounds 12 ounce’s

You are on a normal nasal cannula and stat are 21 %, awesome!

You breastfed for the first time on 9-1-13, (mommy’s best day ever). Mommy has been pumping every three hours for the last four weeks to try and get milk for you. I’m getting a little bit and you were able to nurse for 20 minutes!!! This is HUGE!! However, you haven’t nursed since then…grrr but trying not to get frustrated with myself. What is it about mothers feeling bad about not being able to breastfeed? Personally I think its over rated, yet I do it. Why? I don’t know. Hmmm and grrrr!!!!!

You had another brain scan today and it came back perfectly normal.

Your eye screening is tomorrow and I pray that goes well.

You are keeping your temp up on your own.

Some exciting news…. they are going to start you on bottles (which basically means they give you a binky with a little bit of milk in it and see if you suck and drink in). Then they can start you on bottles/nursing and hopefully be able to take your feeding tube out, which means you would be closer to coming home. EEEEEEEE

Love Mommy

8-3-13

9-3-13